Single Publication

Evacuations orders have been downgraded for Valley County residents effective yesterday September 20, 2024 (see below). 

Overview: The Lava Fire is on the Boise and Payette National Forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire is located north of Emmett and west of Lake Cascade and started by lightning on Monday, September 2. It is burning in tall grass, brush, and timber.  

The Lava Fire is currently 97,934 acres with 61 percent of the perimeter contained. 617 personnel are assigned, including 12 crews, 1 large helicopter, 1 small helicopter, 27 engines, 10 bulldozers, 9 water tenders, 7 excavators, 1 skidder and 8 ambulances. 

Property remaining in an area that is evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures must remain until fire managers, Sheriff’s departments, and emergency management departments deem the area is safe for reentry.  

Operations: Yesterday, unmanned aircraft system (drone) pilots identified heat scattered within the interior eastern perimeter of the fire line. Minimal smoke was observed in isolated, shady timbered areas in the interior but does not threaten constructed lines. In the eastern flank, chippers reduced burnable vegetation along Forest Service Road 446E and Gopher Road. Firefighters continued to backhaul excess equipment and patrol and mop up as needed. Firefighters constructed direct line along the fire edge in the northern flank from Little Weiser Creek working east and working west from Forest Service Roads 835 to 231. Crews removed hazardous limbs along Forest Service Roads 425, 206, and 835. Bulldozer line was completed near God’s Acres and Cascade Christian Church Camp. Firefighters worked alongside resource advisors to complete suppression repair along bulldozer lines. On the western flank, crews extinguished slopovers along bulldozer lines and worked with resource advisors to repair any damages that may have occurred along that fire edge. Firefighters graded 9 miles of road from Sheep Creek Road north to Shirts Creek Road. They worked with resource advisors in the interior to assess additional needs. Crews continued to monitor the southern flank near the Gross community. Firefighters constructed direct and indirect line along Forest Service Road 653. A Lava Fire informational meeting was held yesterday at the Ola Community Hall and 25 people attended.  

Today, firefighters continue to work alongside resource advisors in all areas to carry out and assess suppression repair needs to return areas to pre-fire conditions.  

On the northern flank, firefighters continue to remove hazardous trees on Forest Service Roads 435, 206, and 835 to allow safe access to interior handlines. Crews continue to build direct line east along the fire edge towards Anderson Creek until it meets with a bulldozer line constructed from the north.  

On the eastern flank, chipping will reduce thick, burnable vegetation on Forest Service Roads 446E and Gopher Road. Crews will patrol Forest Service Road 404 and extinguish any heat sources they find focusing on a depth of 100 feet from the line.  Firefighters will repair bulldozer lines and assess equipment needs such as a road repair graders. Firefighters will begin grading roadways between Campbell Creek boat ramp and God’s Acre. 

On the southern flank, firefighters continue to monitor fire activity near the Gross Community, ready to respond if necessary. Crews are constructing direct and indirect handline northeast along Forest Service Road 653. They will install fire hose to the north of Sage Hen Reservoir and Forest Service Road 626 to prevent potential fire spreading. Crews will move graders that worked along the western flank yesterday to the southern flank to repair roadways today. 

On the western flank, crews will extinguish heat that was detected by infrared drones along the containment lines near Forest Service Road 208. Firefighters will work in the southwest to repair bulldozer line that was installed for containment.  

Weather/Fire Behavior: Another dry and fair day is forecasted today. Minimal cloud cover will provide little to no shade across the fire. Seasonal temperatures will be closer to what is expected in the high 60s. Relative humidity percent continues to dip and is expected to be in the 20s. Wind will start in the north and shift to northwest winds in the afternoon and evening. Wind speeds are forecasted to be 7-12 mph with maximum wind gusts in the mid to upper teens mph. Firefighters will continue to watch for new ignitions from recent lightning that may ignite under sunny conditions. 

Evacuations: Adams County Sheriff’s Office downgraded to a Level 1 “READY” for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area. These evacuations notices are effective as of Tuesday, September 17, 2024.   

Valley County Sheriff’s Office removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice. All remaining zones have been removed from any evacuation status for the Lava Fire effective Tuesday, September 17, 2024.  

Closures and Restrictions: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. The southern portion of this closure area follows roads 601 (which remains closed) and 644 (which remains open). The northern boundary follows a portion of the Payette National Forest’s road 186 (open) and crosses over to the Boise National Forest just south of trail 116. Snowbank Road (446) and Sage Hen Reservoir area remain closed, French Creek Campground remains open. This closure adjustment became effective on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes the use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.